Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester (3-Cell)
Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester (3-Cell) - ToronWVTR™ C3
Three-Station Weighing-Method WVTR Analyzer for Film and Package Development
The ToronWVTR™ C3 is a 3 cell water vapor transmission rate tester that measures the WVTR of plastic films, aluminum foil, aluminized films, and composite laminates. The instrument uses the gravimetric weighing method, a direct technique that weighs the moisture crossing a barrier. Three stations test three specimens together, a practical fit for material development and side-by-side comparison. Built around methods such as ASTM E96 and ISO 2528, it delivers standards-based moisture barrier data.
Automatic temperature and humidity control hold the chamber at a set condition across a 15°C to 60°C range, so results follow recognized test conditions. A precision balance weighs each dish on a schedule, and a 24-bit delta-sigma converter resolves small mass changes for high-barrier foils and metallized films. Controlled air velocity across the specimen keeps the measurement repeatable across successive tests.
One-button operation runs the full sequence automatically, and live data curves let operators follow mass change, temperature, and humidity as the test proceeds. Traceable reference-film calibration keeps results defensible for audits and certification. The ToronWVTR™ C3 (Gravimetric 3-Cell Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester) suits flexible-packaging, food, pharmaceutical, and materials R&D labs that need dependable moisture barrier data.
Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester (3-Cell) - ToronWVTR™ C3 Applications
The ToronWVTR™ C3 supports moisture barrier development and QC wherever water vapor ingress affects product quality, shelf life, or stability.
- Flexible Packaging R&D: compares candidate laminates, metallized films, and coatings on moisture barrier during structure development.
- Food and Beverage Packaging: measures moisture ingress through films, foils, and laminates that protect dry and moisture-sensitive products.
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging: verifies the moisture barrier of blister foils, sachets, and pouches for hygroscopic drug products.
- Composite and Laminated Films: characterizes water vapor transmission of multilayer and aluminized structures during formulation and QC.
- Aluminum Foil and Metallized Materials: measures very low moisture transmission where the gravimetric method performs well.
- Paper, Board, and Coatings: evaluates the moisture barrier of coated papers, boards, and organic coating films.
- Building and Construction Materials: tests the moisture barrier of membranes, coatings, and sheet materials per ASTM E96.
- Academic and Materials Research: quantifies WVTR for barrier material studies and standards correlation.
Standards
The ToronWVTR™ C3 is designed to align with internationally recognized gravimetric test methods for water vapor transmission rate measurement.
- ISO 2528 - Sheet Materials: Determination of Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR): Gravimetric (Dish) Method
- ASTM E96 - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
- ASTM D1653 - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Organic Coating Films
- DIN 53122-1 - Testing of Plastics and Elastomer Films, Paper, Board, and Other Sheet Materials: Determination of Water Vapour Transmission Rate: Part 1: Gravimetric Method
- JIS Z 0208 - Testing Methods for Determination of the Water Vapour Transmission Rate of Moisture-Proof Packaging Materials (Dish Method)
- TAPPI T464 - Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Sheet Materials at High Temperature and Humidity
Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester (3-Cell) - ToronWVTR™ C3 Key Features
The ToronWVTR™ C3 pairs the gravimetric reference method with three-station testing and automated conditioning.
- Gravimetric Weighing Method: a direct mass measurement of permeated moisture, the recognized reference approach for WVTR and high-barrier materials.
- Three-Station Continuous Testing: three independent specimens run together, a practical throughput for development and routine QC.
- Automated Precision Weighing: scheduled automatic weighing removes the manual weighing errors of a traditional dish test.
- Automatic Temperature and Humidity Control: the chamber holds a set condition without manual adjustment, so tests match recognized standard conditions.
- Controlled Air Velocity: adjustable airflow across the specimen keeps the boundary layer thin and results repeatable.
- 24-Bit Delta-Sigma Data Acquisition: high-resolution conversion resolves the small mass changes produced by high-barrier foils and films.
- One-Button Automated Testing: a single command runs the complete sequence automatically, reducing operator effort and variability.
- Real-Time Data Curves: on-screen plots of mass change, temperature, and humidity let operators judge test progress and stability.
- Built-In Ambient Monitoring: an internal temperature and humidity sensor logs room conditions with every test for better traceability.
- Multiple Test Modes: selectable modes adapt the instrument to different materials and barrier levels.
- Traceable Reference-Film Calibration: calibration against certified reference films keeps results defensible for QC release and certification audits.
- Laboratory Data Management Integration: connects to lab data management software for centralized records, review, and reporting.
Theory and Method
Weighing-method WVTR testing measures how much moisture passes through a film by weighing a sealed dish assembly over time. The film is clamped over a dish that contains a desiccant, which holds the underside dry. Placed in a chamber at a fixed temperature and humidity, the assembly experiences a water-vapor pressure gradient: moist on the chamber side, dry beneath the film.
Moisture migrates through the film and is trapped by the desiccant, so the dish steadily gains weight. A precision balance records that gain at set intervals. The steady-state slope of weight against time, divided by the exposed area, yields the WVTR in g/m²·24h, a value tied directly to the mass that crossed the film.
Because it weighs the moisture rather than reading a sensor, the gravimetric method serves as a primary reference, which helps method correlation and high-barrier foil work. Airflow across the specimen limits surface resistance so the film governs the result. Three stations run together under automatic temperature and humidity control, which supports side-by-side comparison of candidate materials.
Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester (3-Cell) - ToronWVTR™ C3 Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Measurement Range | 0.1 to 19,000 g/m²·24h (standard) |
| Test Accuracy | 0.01 g/m²·24h |
| Specimen Amount | 3, independent |
| Temperature Range | 15°C to 60°C |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±0.1°C |
| Differential Humidity Range | Room to 95% RH (standard condition 90% RH) |
| Humidity Accuracy | ±1% RH |
| Test Area | 28.26 cm² |
| Specimen Size | Ø76 mm |
| Air Velocity | 0.5 to 2.5 m/s (customization available) |
| Test Chamber Volume | 36 L |
| Gas Supply | Air |
| Gas Interface | Ø8 mm |
| Voltage | AC 220 V, 50 Hz (110V is also available) |
| Dimensions | 650 mm (L) × 550 mm (W) × 475 mm (H) |
| Net Weight | 67 kg |
Standard Delivery
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Unit | Three-station gravimetric WVTR test instrument |
| Computer | Dedicated control PC |
| Control Software | Instrument operation and data-analysis software |
| Test Dishes (3) | Gravimetric test dishes for the three stations |
| Desiccant Tube | Supplies desiccant for the dry side of each dish |
| Pressure Regulator | Regulates the air supply pressure |
| Automatic Moisture Filter | Conditions incoming air for stable humidity |
| Calibration Weight | Reference weight for balance calibration |
| Communication Cable | Connects the instrument to the control PC |
| Sample Cutter | Prepares specimens to the required test size |
Optional Accessories
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Reference Film | Certified film for traceable calibration |
| Air Drying Device | Additional air-drying for low-humidity test conditions |
| Sample Cutter | Additional specimen-preparation cutter |
| Laboratory Data Management System | Centralized data management and reporting software |